Sitting with TJL. He probably didn't contribute either if he chose to transfer.
Illini Basketball 2017-2018
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Sitting with TJL. He probably didn't contribute either if he chose to transfer.
Im surprised the consensus on this board is that Trent will have such a big impact as a freshman. He oozes with potential but he has no where close to a big ten body IMO. Can someone explain?
Tevo
- Wilmette, IL
There are other guys without the prototypical "Big Ten Body" who still have success. Will he get bigger and stronger? Yes. But will he inherently struggle until then? Not necessarily. I recall guys with his same build doing well. Verdell Jones was taller, but rail thin as a freshman and without the same speed, and he went for 11 pts and 3.6 ast. Talor Battle was 6' and 170lb and he had four very productive years, including 10pts, 3.5rbd and 3.2 asts as a true freshman. I know, a few productive examples doesn't mean Trent will have the same success, but his history when playing tough competition has been to rise up and excel, both in AAU and in state playoffs. I think people expect to see that same level of performance next year.
Funny you mention him, his brother is Clayton Jones I believe. Maybe he can develop into the same type of player:thumb:
Some would say Steph Curry doesnt have a B10 body either....not that TFrazier is in that mold.
I think any of our players with a scholarship, healthy and disciplined on O&D will get good tick and make an impact. ...the new pace of play will force bench to perform.
There's about 3.5 months between tf coming to campus and official practice starting in the fall. He's listed at 6'2/170 right now. Not impossible to fathom a 5-10 pound gain in those 3.5 months should that be the goal. Especially because they can essentially control his nutrition. I think we all know we can trust fletch to get it done.
I would like TF can put as much as 15-20 on in those 3.5 months. As a college athlete, teammates and myself included would put 5-15 pounds (depending on what a guy was trying to do) on during our 6 weeks of lifting only after fall ball
If it were me, I'd be erring on the side of a slow build so it's not too drastic a change so fast. However I'm not fletch, I'm just a guy who used to lift.
icengineer
- Southern Illinois
I agree. I'm willing to bet TF is at least 180lbs at game 1 tipoff. He's really thin and there's plenty of room to add some heft to his frame. I made a similar gain right out of HS in 8 weeks of boot camp. Went from 6'2" 175 to 6'3" 185 just from the very fine mess hall food and, of course, some exercise.
BananaShampoo
Captain 'Paign
- Phoenix, AZ
Wow. You grew an inch in 8 weeks? Impessive.I agree. I'm willing to bet TF is at least 180lbs at game 1 tipoff. He's really thin and there's plenty of room to add some heft to his frame. I made a similar gain right out of HS in 8 weeks of boot camp. Went from 6'2" 175 to 6'3" 185 just from the very fine mess hall food and, of course, some exercise.
I myself added almost 20lbs in my 8 weeks of Basic. Went from 127 to a massive 145lbs. It can be done.BananaShampoo
Captain 'Paign
- Phoenix, AZ
Really? You used to lift?!
icengineer
- Southern Illinois
Wow. You grew an inch in 8 weeks? Impessive.
Well, from the enlistment intake processing to the end of camp, might have been another few weeks. Just hit a growth spurt I guess.
Oh, I mistyped, should have been 195 rather than 185. And yes, it definitely can be done. Assuming that is what BU want's him to do. I'm sure if Fletch and TF were told that was the expectation they'd make it happen. Fivestar has a point, that may not be what the staff wants. They might prefer the speed initially and want it to be a gradual thing over the course of the season. Anyways, the point has been made that there are plenty of examples of guys the same size who've done quite well in the B1G.
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I think so too, but really show why we need to land at least one guy who can play some min. as the big. Bench time I think is about right unless Williams is fully healthy. I would not be shocked to see them all get around 15 min or more
Ugh I knew I forgot someone. I guess I got too ahead of myself...based on current roster I think minutes wise
PG: TJL/Smith split minutes pretty equally
SG: JCL (25) Trent (15)
Wing: Alstork (28) Jordan (7) Williams (5)
PF: Black (15) Nichols (25)
C: Finke (28) Black (12)
Kramer116
- Chicago
Well looks like you will have another 25 fictitious minutes to give out shortly.
Jmo, but...
Smith starts. He was promised that the ball would be in his hands.
Agau is a rotation guy, not a starter. No way he beats out Finke.
Frazier will play big minutes.
Definitely understand and agree and with what you're saying about Finke having to battle those bigs. However the flip side is that those guys are gonna have to guard him in space when we have the ball. If they're bangers, that will be difficult for them. Underwood also has a couple counters up his sleeve to get the high post guy 3 point looks that you, me and everyone else on this forum want him to take. It will be a good chess match.
Also, since we will be extremely undersized on the back end, it will be imperative that we take charges. Maybe Finke as an undersized defensive 5 can get 1-2 a game flopping when the big guys post him.
hooraybeer
- Pittsburgh, PA
really hope JCL stays. never seen an offense get better by losing a spot up 3pt shooter
TJL will start, and so will Smith Alstork and Black, I would think Finke as well unless we add 2 better bigger guys, but I think most everyone will get at least 15 mins
IlliniDent
- Chicago, IL
Likely Lucas will be our starting of with smith at the 2 and alstork at the 3 assuming JCL leaves, if not JCL will start the season most likely but could be first off the bench. Who we see at the 4/5 depends on if we get another big. Frazier and kipper will be key as well. As for Williams, it all depends on how his knee is. He could easily contribute a ton this year or absolutely nothing depending on that status of his knee.
Captain Bubbles
- Fairfield, IL
Has anyone heard how Finke is progressing regarding his foot injury?
Deleted member 186590
D
Guest
I completely agree with this. Lucas filled in out of necessity last year and he's a good player, but he's not our starting PG - Smith starts day 1 and it's not even close. Day 1 depth chart right now will look like:
PG: Smith - TJL
SG: JCL - Frazier bench: Williams
SF: Alstork bench: Jordan
PF: Black - Nichols
C: Finke
If JCL, Alstork and Frazier are the core guys at the 2 wing spots. If JCL leaves Jordan benefits the most with additional minutes. Williams does not likely play much in this rotation, given Nichols has to play significant minutes right now until we get a big transfer.
TownieMatt
CU Expat
- Chicago
I'd be extremely surprised if TJL doesn't start at the point. Mark Smith is more than capable of playing off the ball, though I think he'll get some run at point as well.
IlliniDent
- Chicago, IL
If JCL leaves I think Lucas starts at point and smith at cg since the positions are essentially interchangeable and we would have two ballhandlers on the court. If JCL stays then I think your line up is correct with the exception of finke being our only C. He would have to share that with Black which could push alstork and kipper to playing both the 3 and 4 since they are essentially the same position.
We don't have traditional 1-5 anymore. It's closer to 1/2, 3/4, and 5. With smith's size he could even play the 3 easily and it wouldn't affect anything for us from a system perspective. You could have tjl, Frazier, and smith, and alstork on the court at the same time without issue (assuming our current line up and limited height). If we get another big, it will probably tighten up the 1-3 spots for guards/wings and the 4 for a shooting pf/ bigger sf type player.
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